Unification Ministry to Provide 300 Million Won to Support Groups Cheering North Korean Football Team... Jeong Dongyoung Considering Attending in Person
Decision Made to Support with Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund
The government has decided to provide a total of 300 million won in support to South Korean private organizations that will attend the match of North Korea's "Naegohyang Women's Football Team," which is scheduled to visit South Korea on the 17th. The funding will come from the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund. In addition, Jeong Dongyoung, Minister of Unification, is considering attending the inter-Korean women's football match in person.
On May 12, an official from the Ministry of Unification told reporters at the Government Complex Seoul, "Taking into account that this event will contribute to enhancing mutual understanding between the two Koreas, the government has decided to support the cheering squad using the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund." The 300 million won provided by the government will likely be used for private organizations to purchase match tickets and cheering equipment.
The Ministry of Unification explained that, the previous day, the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund Management Committee had approved the allocation of 300 million won in funding. This decision is based on Article 8, Clause 6 of the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund Act, which allows for loans and support of funds necessary for inter-Korean exchange and cooperation that contribute to building trust and restoring the national community, as well as support for projects to promote such exchanges and cooperation.
The semifinal match of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League (AWCL) between North Korea's Naegohyang Football Team and Suwon FC Women will be held on May 20 at Suwon Sports Complex in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. If the North Korean team wins, the final will be held at the same venue on May 23.
According to the Ministry of Unification, after the North Korean football team's participation in the tournament was made public, numerous private organizations related to separated families and inter-Korean exchange and cooperation requested support for cheering. The estimated number of supporters is approximately 2,500.
However, as political activities are strictly prohibited at sports events, cheering for the North Korean team will be limited to what is permitted by the organizers. The Ministry of Unification plans to provide the relevant guidelines to private organizations in advance.
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Meanwhile, after visiting Bishop LEE Yonghoon, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, at the Korea Catholic Central Council in Gwangjin-gu on this day, Minister Jeong Dongyoung met with reporters. When asked about his intention to attend the inter-Korean women's football match in person, he said, "We are considering various options," but added, "Since the end of 2018, all private and sports exchanges have been suspended, so the very act of the North Korean team visiting South Korea itself is significant," expressing a positive stance.
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